, 1887-09-21
kMone rHs sIseaIAN AoMAps.
A Nation of shepherds and Cattle Breed
ers-Kirghesa on the March.


A Nation of shepherds and Cattle Breed
ers-Kirghess on the March.
The Kara-Kirghese are essentially q
nation of shepherds and breeders of
cattle, and think it is a come down in
life when compelled to resort to settled
occupations. They are not 30 rich as
their brethren in the plains. Very few
own AZ many as 1000 horses or 5000
sheep. Also they have fewer camels;
but, on the other hand, possess an excel
lent breed of oxen for traversing the
mountains. Their cows are large, but do
rot yield much milk. Yaks are kept by
them instead. Their cattle breeding
claims far less labor than agriculture, but
it is exposed to great risks. For the sup
port Of a nomad family for a year are
required eleven head Of large and ten of
small cattle, and to provide hay for the
winter consumption v of this number
exceeds the working power of N house
hold.
/ was much interested to SEQ some of
the Kirghese on tho march. Their wan
behring's are thus conducted. When the
pasture in a neighborhood is eaten, one
or two OF b young men are sent to
select a spot for another encampment,
and to clean out the wells. This done,
the ome pack the tents and the men
form the cattle in droves. The camp is
ready and starts before dawn, the good
women OF the family riding in front. 1
met one old lady in this honorable posi-
ton. mounted astride u bullock and look
ing anything but graceful. After her
came the other women, v~ariously
mounted on the top of carpets, teakettles,
tents, ETC.. the whole being made to
wear, az far as possible, a festive aspect.
The length of a stage is from thirteen to
miles, and the aul traverses
about twenty-five miles in twenty-four
hours.
On arriving at the place Of encamp-
ment it is the Office of the wife to put up
tho tent. / CHANGED to SEQ a woman be-
gin to do so, and would not stir from the
spot till / bad witnessed the whole opera
ton. The principal parts of a kibitka or
tent arc large pieces of felt to cover a
framework that consists of Intel and side
posts for a door, and pieces of trellis-
work surmounted by poles that meet in
tho centor. On this trelliswork are sus-
pended arms, clothes, bags, basins, har-
ness and cooking utensils. Not that there
is a large variety, however, of the Last,
for most of the cooking is lone in a large
opon saucepan that stands on a tripod
over the fire in the middle of the tent.
Crockerywaro is not abundant, being of
hazardous carriagc, and metal goods are
n0t cheap. SO that leather has to do duty
not only for making bottles Especially
those for carrying koumiss), but also
pals, some of which arc furnished with
a spout. I met with no small saucepans
or teaIettlcs of English shape. their place
being supplied by kurgans or water
overs, somewhat resembling a cofreepot.
Round the walls of the tent arc piled
boXea, saddles, rugs and bales of carpet,
against which the occupants lean, the
head Of the household sitting opposite the
door, and in front of him tho wife in at
tendance.
[ was honored with an invitation to
dino in one of these tents, the dishes
being put before us according to our
rank. heard nothing of grace before
meat, bus never saw anything to exceed
the a~lacrity with which the dishes were
cleared. Hands were knives and fingers
were forks, tho meat being torn from the
bones az by tho teeth OF hungry dogs. 1t
n considered polite for a Kirghese su-
perior to take a handful of pieces Of meat
and stuff them into the mouth Of an in
ferior guest, an elegancy l saw practiced
On another, but from which, mercifully,
] myself was sIcused.-Dr. Henry Lans-
dsh in Harpsr's Magazine.